Expanded Beam Optical Connectors with Beam Width Altering Lenses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional copper cables have limited transmission distance and flexibility at high data rates, necessitating the use of optical fibers for short-distance data links in consumer electronics, where alignment issues impact the performance of optical-to-optical fiber optic connectors, leading to signal loss.
Innovation Solution
An expanded beam optical connector with a connector body, optical element, beam width altering optical lens, and transmit/receive window, featuring an optical medium, transition layer, and protective layer, configured to maintain close contact and reduce signal loss by altering beam width and using a diamond-like carbon protective layer for robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional copper cables are used for high data rate transmission, then ease of operation and flexibility are improved, but transmission distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces copper cable transmission with optical fiber transmission, substituting the mechanical/electrical system with an optical system. This enables longer transmission distances while maintaining flexibility through the use of optical connectors and VCSELs that can be integrated into flexible form factors for consumer electronics applications.
2Length of stationary object
If optical fiber is used for high data rate transmission, then transmission distance is improved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic alignment mechanisms including magnetic alignment features that can adjust and maintain optimal alignment between optical components. The connector body incorporates movable elements and feedback mechanisms that continuously optimize alignment during operation, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beam parameters by using beam width altering optical lenses that can dynamically adjust beam diameter and shape. By modifying beam parameters such as diameter, divergence angle, and mode structure, the system achieves robust alignment tolerance while maintaining high data rate transmission over extended distances.
3Loss of energy
If beam width is altered to improve coupling efficiency, then signal loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into single optical components. For example, the beam width altering optical lenses are designed to perform both beam shaping and mode matching functions simultaneously. The optical transition layer serves both as an optical interface and as a mechanical bonding layer, reducing the total number of discrete components and simplifying the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite optical structures including multi-layer optical transition layers with different refractive indices and mechanical properties. These composite structures enable precise beam width control and mode matching while maintaining mechanical robustness, achieving low signal loss without requiring complex assembly of separate optical elements.
4Reliability
If optical transition layer is added to reduce contamination, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film optical transition layers that can be deposited directly onto optical surfaces using conventional semiconductor manufacturing techniques. These thin films provide contamination resistance and environmental protection while adding minimal manufacturing complexity, as they can be applied in existing fabrication processes without requiring complex assembly steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables low-loss optical communication by maintaining close contact between optical components, reducing signal loss due to alignment and environmental factors, while the diamond-like carbon layer enhances durability and reduces contamination-related losses.
Implementation Method 1
a beam width altering optical lens... The beam width altering optical lens can alter a beam width of the optical signals
Implementation Method 2
The optical medium may have a refractive index of about 1.5, for example, as may be the case if the optical medium comprises glass, and the protective layer may have a refractive index of about 2... The optical transition layer in such embodiments may then be between 1.5 and 2
Implementation Method 3
a protective layer forming an exterior surface of the transmit/receive window... the protective layer may have a refractive index of about 2, for example, as may be the case if the protective layer comprises a diamond-like carbon
Data Source
AI summary
An expanded beam optical connector including a connector body, an optical element in the form of a waveguide or active device, a beam width altering optical lens, and a transmit/receive window. The optical element, the beam width altering optical lens, and the transmit/receive window are configured such that optical signals propagate between the optical element and the transmit/receive window via the beam width altering optical lens. The transmit/receive window includes an optical medium that forms an interior surface of the transmit/receive window, an optical transition layer between the interior surface formed by the optical medium, and a protective layer forming an exterior surface of the transmit/receive window. The connector body is configured to place the exterior surface of the transmit/receive window in close contact with a mating exterior surface of a mating transmit/receive window of a complementary optical device to define a close contact portion.